Name Practice Sheets for Preschoolers
Name recognition is one of the most important skills for preschoolers to learn. But just because a preschooler can identify their name doesn’t exactly mean they can spell it. These name practice sheets do both.
They teach recognition and name spelling.
This post has been recently updated and now includes a done for you printable version. This version does not perfectly match those in the photos of this post due to copyright protections of the font artist.
Name Practice Sheets for Preschoolers
Of all the skills kindergarten teachers like preschoolers to have upon entering elementary school, they like it best when children can identify their own name. It just makes the school day so much easier. From finding their seats to finding which cubby to put their coat in, kinder teachers really appreciate it when preschoolers can read their names.
But they also appreciate it when preschoolers can spell their names, too.
The reasons are two-fold. For one, the children can more easily write their names on any papers at school if they can already spell their name. And two, if they can spell their name they can most likely identify the letters in their name, which means that those preschoolers entered kindergarten with just a little bit more alphabetic knowledge.
At the preschool level, teaching children to spell their names has many benefits. At this age, children are really self-centered and they love their own names (and the names of their friends, too). This motivates them to learn more and about other things. Including names around the classroom is an easy way to incorporate more literacy into their environment.
In addition to that, when preschoolers learn to spell their names they are also learning the letters in their names. If done properly both the letter name and the sound. And this is a great thing!
Related
How to Teach Preschoolers to Spell Their Names
Teaching preschoolers how to spell their name, and how to write their name, can be a daunting task. It requires a to of practice. Here are some frequently asked questions on the subject.
Young children love seeing their name appear in many meaningful ways, like on belongings and toys. Having meaningful activities is going to be key. Use name tags whenever possible, and label belongings with names. When your preschooler comes across these name labeled items, point out their name and say the letters.
Preschoolers will benefit from formal name practice as well. Try activities like button names, letter tile names, and playdough names. You can even turn a sensory bin into a name practice activity! The more meaningful and the more tactile the activities are, the quicker your preschooler will learn to spell their name.
Most children learn to spell their names somewhere between preschool and kindergarten. Some preschoolers go into the kindergarten school year already knowing how to spell their names, but some students who have longer names may take a little longer. All children going into kindergarten should be able to spell and write their names with most of the letters in their name, if not be able to write it perfectly. For example, a child with the name Keith might enter kind spelling it K-e-t-h, which is a great start.
Most children do not recognize their name in print until about 3-4 years of age. Many toddlers will identify the first letter in their name and then associate any word beginning with that letter as their name. They might say, “Look! B for Brinley” when seeing the word bread written out.
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Product on saleEditable Name Spelling Practice MatsOriginal price was: $6.00.$5.00Current price is: $5.00.
Get the done for you printable version. This version does not perfectly match those in the photos of this post due to copyright protections of the font artist.
Name Practice Sheets
There are tons and tons of ways to teach preschoolers to spell their names, and I recommend using a variety of strategies to prevent children from getting bored.
This is one way I teach my preschoolers how to spell their names – with name practice sheets. Upon arrival, my preschooler completes their name practice sheet. It replaces the idea of using a sign-in sheet.
Materials
For these name practice sheets, I used a lot of clipart and specialty fonts, which I will link below.
- KG Red Hands Font (free for personal use)
- Tracing Lines Clipart
- Tracing Alphabet Clipart
- Powerpoint or similar program
As I explain the activity, I’ll also explain how to make the name practice sheets. They are super simple and really effective.
UPDATE!
This activity has been recently updated. Instead of making your own, you can now purchase an editable version that’s already done for you! That means all you have to do is download, type in you students’ names, and watch the names auto-populate in the document. Then print!
>>> Name Spelling Practice Sheets <<<
This version does not perfectly match those in the photos of this post due to copyright protections of the font artist.
The Name Practice Activity
When my preschoolers come in each morning, they find their name practice sheet at the preschool table. One side has their name in the KG Red Hands Outline font with some tracing lines clipart. This side gets changed up several times a year as the children become better and better at tracing the lines.
At the beginning of the school year I start my preschoolers out simple lines and change them out for sheets are increase in difficulty. They go from straight lines, to wavy, to zigzag and finally at the end of the year they might progress to loops and such. This clipart is perfect for creating individualized pre-writing practice sheets. I added a red dot on the left side of the line so that my preschoolers learn that when we write we always start from the left and go right. It also helps them make this connection in print awareness and reading.
We use these dry erase pouches. They wipe-off so well! And little knit mittens the best erasers!
Once my preschoolers have finished tracing the pre-writing lines on the one side, they then color in their name at the top of the page. The font I used for this is KG Red Hands Outline.
When the first side is finished (it only takes them about five minutes at most) they flip it over to their name practice sheet. There is a very specific way I use them.
First, before anything else, I read their name and then model for them how to spell it. I used the KG Red Hands Font again and added red dots under each letter. As I say each letter, I put my finger on the red dot under it, showing the children how each letter has its own name. One-to-one correspondence in reading is just as important as it is in math.
Then, I ask my preschoolers to try it out for themselves.
The most important thing, initially, is that the child is learning one-to-one correspondence. They will pick up the letters in their name as they practice, but I really watch to make sure they point to each letter as they make an attempt to say it. If they don’t remember, no worries, I remind them.
UPDATE
Now, I’ve shown you how to make your own practice worksheets, but you can save yourself time by grabbing my editable pdf that allows you to just type your student’s names into the pdf and watch it auto-populate!
Get the done for you printable version. This version does not perfectly match those in the photos of this post due to copyright protections of the font artist.
It really is that easy!
We do this part if our name practice sheets every single day. By the end of the school year, they can spell their names!
The final part of the name practice sheet is the name tracing at the bottom of the page. I don’t focus a lot on correct letter formation unless the child is really, really interested in writing and is really ready to practice writing. Instead, what I focus on is the concept that letters are formed from top to bottom. As they become more familiar with letters, we then start focusing on forming letters from left to right. (Although now there are many writing programs that don’t emphasize that at all).
The clipart I used for the tracing letters is this set. I like it for a few reasons. First, I like that the tracing lines are inside a block letter. It gives preschoolers a better visual of the letter. And the other reason I like this set is that each letter does have a number order of where each stroke of the letter should start. My preschoolers don’t pay much attention to this, but it works great for kindergarteners.
Quick tip! For children who forget that letters are formed from top to bottom, draw a little red dot where each stroke should begin. (I am clearly a fan of red dots!)
Extra Tips and Tricks
Making your own set is really simple and fast. Here are a few more tips:
- Use a program like Powerpoint or Publisher to create these. Those programs allow for much easier movement of the clipart than something like Word. Just trust me on this.
- Make a second copy and laminator for the children to practice at home. Don’t forget to send a dry erase marker with it!
Save Time and Just Buy the Editable PDF!
These Editable Name Spelling Practice Mats will be a game changer for your preschooler. Just type in your preschooler’s names and hit print!
You can even use them in kindergarten!
Remember, this version does not perfectly match those in the photos of this post due to copyright protections of the font artist.
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Product on saleEditable Name Spelling Practice MatsOriginal price was: $6.00.$5.00Current price is: $5.00.
I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.
Were do I get the red dots from?
The red dots are just a shape you create in your document. If using PowerPoint, go to >insert > shape and select circle. Then you can create it to your specifications.
Hi!
How exactly did you get the letter clip art to spell out the student’s name?
I used this clipart.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Alphabet-Tracing-letters-correct-letter-formation-clip-art-2059824
Hello! I’ve not been able to successfully access the name writing pages. Am I missing a link? Thank you for sharing your work!
No, you are not missing anything. Unfortunately, these are not a free printable. Reason being is that the tracing letters are individual clipart, not a font. Instead, I have linked to the clipart I used in the materials section of the post.
I am unable to get a copy of this. Is it available in TPT where I can purchase it from you?
Because the name letters are actually clipart and not a font, I cannot provide an editable document for purchase, which is why I have linked to the clipart I used, instead.
I was wondering if you sold this as an editable copy somewhere? Thanks!
I can’t sell it as an editable copy because there is no way to secure the letter clipart, and not securing the clipart is violating the artist’s terms and conditions of use. I’m sorry.
Where did you purchase the item where the kids will write over the clear surface? I love how that is an alternative way than using a regular white board.
They are called Dry Erase Pouches and let me just say they are SO much better than laminating or using clear plastic sheet protectors. Here’s an affiliate link: http://amzn.to/2ns052T
This is really well thought-out, and I think I’ll use it with my kindergarten RtI group! Which border pack did you use to outline the sheets?
Thank you! My favorite clip artist for boarders is Rebecca B. Designs. You can find a lot of her work on Teachers Pay Teachers.
I love this idea! Wish I had powerpoint… but perhaps I can do something similar in Word
Word will also work, it will just require a few more steps. 🙂